The San Francisco Pride Celebration and Parade--also known as the largest LGBT gathering in the country--rocks our city on the last full weekend in June. In 2011, it’s on June 25-26. Below is an overview of what to expect, including transportation information. For pride-themed parties, concerts, films and fun before, during and after the weekend, check our guide to other official SF Pride offerings.
SF Pride 2011: What & Why
With more than 200 gay pride parade groups and floats, hundreds of vendors and community organizations and activities for everyone from gay seniors to hip-hoppers, SF Pride is two days of revelry. This year’s theme is "In Pride We Trust.”
SF Pride commemorates the June 1969 Stonewall riots, in which gays protested a routine police raid of the Stonewall Inn, a mostly gay bar in New York’s Greenwich Village. The riots jump-started the gay rights movement, and in 1970, gatherings to mark their first anniversary were held in New York and San Francisco.
SF Pride Celebration - June 25 & 26
The SF Pride Celebration, on Saturday and Sunday afternoons at and around Civic Center Plaza, features entertainment on multiple stages, community groups, exhibitors and food. Sandra Bernhard, British singer Luciana, Cheer SF, cast members from A.C.T.’s Tales of the City musical, DJ Paul Goodyear and various bands are on the line-up for the main stage in front of City Hall.
In Civic Center Plaza are areas designated for various niches and aficionados, including youths, elderly, families, people who are HIV-positive, transgender or deaf, African Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Latinos, leather lovers and fans of country-Western or underground music. Refer to this detailed map to navigate the scene.
SF Pride Parade - June 26
On Sunday at 10:30 am, Dykes on Bikes leads the SF Pride Parade from Market and Beale streets. By 2:30 pm, the last of the thousands of parading people are expected to reach the end, at Market and 8th--a few steps from where the Celebration will be underway.
The parade’s lifetime achievement grand marshal is Bishop Yvette Flunder, a minister and founder of Ark of Refuge, Inc., a nonprofit agency that provides housing, education and services to people affected by HIV/AIDS locally, elsewhere in the U.S. and in three African countries. Celebrity grand marshals are Chaz Bono (the child of entertainers Sonny and Cher, and formerly known as Chastity Bono), actress Olympia Dukakis and San Francisco dessert chef Yigit Pura.
Of course San Francisco’s LGBT pride is bigger than the weekend parade and street festival: Find films, performances, parties and more in our pride events guide.
San Francisco Pride Celebration 2011
June 25, at 12-6 pm and June 26, at 11 am-6:30 pm
Civic Center Plaza
Requested $5 donation, but no one turned away for lack of funds.
San Francisco Pride Parade 2011
June 26, at 10:30 am
Starts at Market and Beale, to Market and 8th streets
Free. Grandstand seats at UN Plaza (on the north side of Market, between 7th and 8th streets): $35 in advance; $40 on-site.
Parking is a headache in San Francisco as it is, and will be a throbbing migraine during SF Pride. Spare yourself and take public transit, bike or walk. The SF Pride website has info about various transportation options.
Many streets will be closed for the SF Pride Celebration and Parade and related events. Check with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency before you venture out.
